Tac-40 injection

Uses

This medication is used in a variety of conditions such as allergic disorders, arthritis, blood diseases, breathing problems, certain cancers, eye diseases, intestinal disorders, collagen and skin diseases. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of triamcinolone, especially if it is to be injected near your spine (epidural). Rare but serious side effects may occur with epidural use.

Triamcinolone acetonide is known as a corticosteroid hormone (glucocorticoid). It works by decreasing your body's immune response to these diseases and reduces symptoms such as swelling.

How to use Tac-40 injection

This medication may be given by injecting into different locations such as a muscle (intramuscularly), a skin lesion (intradermally), or a joint (intra-articularly). Injections are usually given by a trained healthcare professional. If you are giving yourself intramuscular injection, you will be taught by your healthcare professional on how to properly use this medication. If any of the information is unclear, consult your healthcare professional.

The injection site, schedule, dosage, and length of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Do not inject this medication into a vein (intravenously) or into the spine (epidurally). This medication is not recommended for injection around/into the eye or certain parts of the nose due to the risk for blindness or damage to the eye(s). Consult your doctor for more details.

Use this medication and follow the dosing schedule exactly as directed by your doctor in order to get the most benefit from it. Do not change your dose or use this medication for a longer time than prescribed. Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions about your treatment.

Wash hands with soap and water before using this medication. Before using, check this product visually for clumpy particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid.

Before injecting each dose intramuscularly, clean the injection site with rubbing alcohol. It is important to change the location of the injection site to avoid discomfort or problem areas. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased to reduce symptoms such as weakness, weight loss, nausea, and extreme fatigue.

Shake vial before use to evenly disperse the suspension. Inject the prescribed dose immediately after withdrawing it into the syringe to avoid settling of the medication in the syringe.

Learn how to store and discard syringes, needles, and medical supplies safely. Consult your pharmacist for more information.

If you have been using this medication for a long time, do not suddenly stop it without your doctor's approval. Some conditions may become worse when this drug is suddenly stopped.

This medication may be injected into a joint to treat conditions such as arthritis and bursitis. If you have received an injection into a joint, be careful how much stress you put on that joint, even if it is feeling better. Ask your doctor how much you can move the joint while it is healing.

Inform your doctor if your condition worsens or if you have new symptoms.

Side Effects

Redness or pain at the injection site, stomach upset, headache, dizziness, menstrual period changes, trouble sleeping, or weight gain may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

If you have received injection of this medication into the joint, temporary discomfort of the joint may occur. Tell your doctor immediately if you have fever, increased/severe pain with swelling of the joint, weakness in the joint, or decreased range of motion in the joint.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other corticosteroids (e.g., methylprednisolone); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: untreated active fungal infections.

This medication may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely.

This medication may mask signs of infection or put you at greater risk of developing very serious infections. Report any injuries or signs of infection (e.g., persistent sore throat/cough/fever, pain during urination, muscle aches) that occur while using this medication or within 12 months after stopping it.

Using corticosteroid medications for a long time can make it more difficult for your body to respond to physical stress. Therefore, before having surgery or emergency treatment, or if you get a serious illness/injury, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication or have used this medication within the past 12 months. Tell your doctor right away if you develop unusual/extreme tiredness or weight loss. If you will be using this medication for a long time, carry a warning card or medical ID bracelet that identifies your use of this medication.

Do not have immunizations, vaccinations, or skin tests while you are using this drug unless specifically directed by your doctor. Avoid contact with people who have recently received oral polio vaccine.

Avoid exposure to chickenpox or measles infection while using this medication. If you are exposed to these infections, seek immediate medical attention.

If you have a history of ulcers or take large doses of aspirin or other arthritis medication, limit alcoholic beverages while using this drug. Alcohol may increase the risk of stomach/intestinal bleeding.

If you have diabetes, this drug may increase your blood sugar levels. Check your blood glucose levels regularly as directed by your doctor. Tell your doctor immediately if you have symptoms such as increased thirst and urination. Your anti-diabetic medication or diet may need to be adjusted.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially confusion, or poorer blood sugar control in diabetics.

This medication may slow down a child's growth if used for a long time. Consult the doctor or pharmacist for more details. See the doctor regularly so your child's height and growth can be checked.

Injecting this medication into a muscle is not recommended for children younger than six years. Consult your doctor for more details.

This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. There have been rare reports of harm to an unborn baby when corticosteroids are used during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Infants born to mothers who have been using this medication for an extended time may have low levels of corticosteroid hormone. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice symptoms such as persistent nausea/vomiting, severe diarrhea, or weakness in your newborn.

This medication passes into breast milk. While there have been no reports of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially: aldesleukin, mifepristone, drugs for diabetes, estrogens (e.g., birth control pills), drugs that can cause bleeding/bruising (including antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel, "blood thinners" such as dabigatran/warfarin, NSAIDs such as aspirin/celecoxib/ibuprofen), drugs affecting liver enzymes that remove triamcinolone from your body (rifamycins such as rifampin; certain anti-seizure medications such as phenytoin and phenobarbital), live vaccines, certain herbal products (e.g., licorice).

If your doctor has directed you to take low-dose aspirin for heart attack or stroke prevention (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams a day), you should continue taking it unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

This product may interfere with certain lab tests. Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this drug.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others. Lifestyle changes that help reduce the risk of bone loss (osteoporosis) during long-term therapy include weight-bearing exercise, getting adequate calcium and vitamin D, stopping smoking, and limiting alcohol. Discuss lifestyle changes that might benefit you with your doctor.

If you take this medication for prolonged periods, you should wear or carry identification stating that you are taking it.

Missed Dose

This medication should be used as scheduled. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for instructions. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not freeze. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Information last revised May 2014. Copyright(c) 2014 First Databank, Inc.

Selected from data included with permission and copyrighted by First Databank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, expect as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

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